Written by Marilyn Juds
Prince George
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Thursday, 04 December 2008 |
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This is the second letter recently in The Citizen supporting burning wood for heating. As well, it was a breath of fresh air to read R. Alderson’s letter of Nov. 21. Both letters are timely and reflect common sense. Also, both writers appear adamant to keep up their long-standing family tradition. You can add our family into the equation.
What could be more natural in northern climates than heating your home with wood? Face it, wood heat is simply more comfy and cozy than any other form of heat. If you are fortunate enough to have a glass door in your heater, or you can sit by a glowing fireplace, the visual experience is even more satisfying. Also, the ashes are good compost for your garden.
Our family also burns wood. Of course, any wood heater and chimney construction must be fully approved. As Mr. Alderson has noted, the wood must be dry and seasoned. We have a fire-brick chimney and a German Kachelofen wood furnace. It is 85-per-cent heat-efficient and certified by the Underwriter’s Laboratory of Canada. Only a small plume of light-gray smoke ever leaves the chimney.
Another point to consider is that if we ever have a power outage, the woodies will still have a warm home.
I wonder if the avid anti-wood-burning crowd has ever conducted a comprehensive survey to find out how many people in P.G. actually burn wood? To that they must further determine to what extent is the burning: all the time (in winter), some of the time, seldom, or never? The same would have to be determined vis-‡-vis the frequency of using backyard burning for wiener roasts, etc.
It has been my observation that in our neighbourhood over the years more and more people have been opting out of wood burning. Now with the downturn in the economy and the increase in natural gas billings, it may pick up somewhat. In any case, wood-burning is negligible.
Now consider the air pollution in our city. It’s non-stop, spewing out noxious fumes day and night, the year round. If people are so concerned about air quality, why don’t they go after the real culprits - vehicle exhausts, the pulp mills and the oil refinery here in town?
So to all naysayers of wood-burning, please stop barking up the wrong - uh - chimney.
-- Marilyn Juds
Prince George
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 December 2008 )
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